Weather in South Dakota during March (Sioux Falls, Rapid City: spring break, living in, vacation)

[monica_cam]

Hello,
I was thinking of visiting South Dakota in March during my Spring Break from teaching. Can any South Dakota people tell me what the weather is like in late March. Is it a good time to drive across state from Rapid City to Sioux Falls? Is there a lot of snow or blizzards at this time?
I appreciate any help or advise you can give me.

[DaninEGF]

Hi

I work in the weather forecasting business and forecast for eastern ND and northwest MN....while it is colder up here than down in SD on average....March throughout the Dakotas can be highly variable. By late March you will start to see signs of Spring emerge, especially in South Dakota, but you can go from a warm day to a cold day with snow the next. Typicallly by late March the storm track is such to take lows from northeast Colorado into central and eastern North Dakota with cold air west and warm air east. This would give the western plains of South Dakota a better overall shot at getting snowstorms than the east during the early Spring.

But the keyword is highly variable. I think the chances of you running into very bad weather in late March is rather small (on average) and I would not let the worry of a possible snowstorm deter you at that time of the year. You will need to monitor the weather of course ahead of your trip. Depending on where you come from....if you travel through the Rockies there might be additional issues with weather due to high elevations. But overall main roads are kept up fine for travel and chances of closures rather low....but not impossible.

Check out the NWS web sites for Rapid City and Sioux Falls for latest fcst.
NWS Rapid City, SD
NWS Sioux Falls, SD

Dan

[ElkHunter]

You can almost set your calendar. It seems that every year in March, we get our last good snowstorm. haha But the good news is, the ground is already warming so the snow will melt in about 2 days.

But you should be ok.

[Jammie]

Yes, it just depends on the year. I remember going to work in shorts a couple days in mid-March a few years ago. But I also remember shoveling snow other times in March. Just make your plans, but be sure to pay close attention to the weather forecasts. You can always cancel if you have to. Our winters the past three years have been much milder then normal so there's a very good chance that you won't have any weather problems.

[monica_cam]

Thank you all for your replies. It gives me a good idea of what to wear and driving conditions.

[ElkHunter]

Originally Posted by monica_cam

Thank you all for your replies. It gives me a good idea of what to wear and driving conditions.

You know, living in areas like this I carry a pack for the winter. Inside the pack is a compass, a heavy parka, elk skin gloves with liners, a parka hood, insulated bib overalls. Pretty simple pack but if I get drifted in out on the highway, I'm good to walk in -40 temps. You never know. But March is a warmer time and the parka and stuff would be a little heavy. It's more wind and blinding snowstorm if it hits. A good heavy coat, gloves and something to put over you head is fine.

I carry the pack more for the -40 snow storms and I get stuck or stranded. haha

[jessizadorable]

It isn't uncommon to get blizzards in April, so March is definitely game for blizzards. Bring a warm coat...you will need it. Pack winter survival gear for your travels.

If I was going to go anywhere in March while on vacation...South Dakota would probably be my last choice...but then again I'm much more of a "tropical vacation" person.